Which country operates the Canadarm2 robotic arm?

Canada operates the Canadarm2 robotic arm on the International Space Station.

Canadarm2 is part of Canada’s Mobile Servicing System, a suite of space robotics developed for the ISS. The Canadian Space Agency and Canadian industry supplied the system, while trained controllers on Earth and astronauts in orbit use it for station maintenance, assembly and cargo handling.

Unlike the original Canadarm flown on the space shuttle, Canadarm2 can move along the station’s exterior by attaching its end effectors to specially designed grapple fixtures. This inchworm-like capability lets it reach much of the station. The arm can also capture uncrewed cargo spacecraft, including Dragon vehicles, and position equipment for installation.

The arm is often confused with Dextre, another Canadian contribution. Dextre is a two-armed robotic handyman designed for delicate maintenance tasks, whereas Canadarm2 is the larger, mobile arm. Canada’s robotics role began with the shuttle-era Canadarm in 1981 and continued with Canadarm2, installed on the ISS in 2001.